BROWN, Edwin and Mark

Edwin was a nineteen year old Miner when he enlisted at Inverell in January 1916.  He was the younger son of James and Alice Brown of Inverell and a prominent member of the Salvation Army Band.  As this Band was part of the Kurrajong march in January 1916, Edwin and his brother Mark probably played and marched with them on that day. With eighteen other volunteers Edwin left Inverell on 1 February 1916 for the Narrabri camp. Many of these men enlisted at the Recruiting Rally held just prior to the departure of the First Contingent of the Kurrajongs.

Edwin became a member of the 33rd Battalion and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916.  After arriving in England they trained at Salisbury Plain before being sent to France in November.  Edwin was a member of the Battalion Band and a Stretcher Bearer.  He was wounded in action during the Battle of Messines in June 1917 and a second time in April 1918. On this occasion he was invalided back to England and admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.  Two months later he was sent back to France.

Edwin returned to Australia in August 1919 and was discharged the following month. He married in 1921 and died at Inverell in 1955. His older brother Mark enlisted in May 1916 and also served with the 33rd Battalion on the Western Front. He returned home in June 1919.  Their names are inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll.

Photo: Courtesy IDFHG Inc